THE WICKER BASKET BRIDGE

We were driving down the 210 Freeway towards Pasadena and I was digging through my purse for chapstick, when from the driver’s side I heard the exclamation, “Look! It’s a wicker basket bridge!” I quickly looked up as we were passing under a bridge….that indeed took the shape of a wicker basket. We went on discussing plans for the day, humming along to the radio and sitting in traffic, but the bridge was never again mentioned. But I was curious. And knew I had found our next Oddity Outing. Returning home, I realized I had no idea where to begin. My google search engine remained blank. What to type in? “Odd bridge on Pasadena Freeway?" Then the obvious solution came to mind and I entered in Drew’s words. “Wicker Bridge on 210 Freeway”. At last, information!

If you’re looking for the exact site, the bridge is located on the 210 Freeway to Arcadia. The bridge is part of a massive project called the Gold Line Foothill Extension. It is a way to offer congestion release from the traffic we Southern Californians experience daily by offering more routes for those who opt to use the Metro. This Gold Line bridge is not just a bridge, it is a work of art. Public artist, Andrew Leicester delved into the history of the ingenious people of the San Gabriel Valley and envisioned a piece that would both work as a public transit and historical monument.

“This monumental bridge is a symbolic gateway into the San Gabriel Valley, as well as a tribute to those who inhabited this spectacular landscape. As with most ceremonial portals, the symbolic and decorative elements of the bridge serve a vital role in conveying a message to those passing through. They announce the beginning of the San Gabriel Valley, and to those who live there, they say ‘you are not far from your destination.’”

So the next time you’re taking a drive down the 210 Freeway and say to yourself, “Were those large wicker baskets I just saw?” The answer is, “Yes. They most certainly are.” ​​